NORTHLAND’S ROADS

Northern Advocate, 21 December 1932, Page 3

NORTHLAND’S ROADS

COMPREHENSIVE REPORT

ADVICE FOR TOURISTS.

GENERALLY IN GOOD ORDER

With the holiday tourist rush close at hand, the following road report, submitted by the Northern Patrol of the A,A.A., gives valuable information on the condition of roads in Northland. road surface is in good order. Pot holes have been attended to in the tar scaled section. East Coast Route to Dome Valley. The clay portions of this road base been recently graded and at present it provides very fair travelling. -If there is any rain the road still becomes impassable, without the use of chains, on the clay section between Lang’s Beach and Mangawal and to the Junctions at Hie Dome Valley. Many people prefer this route in the summer as it provides good views of the sea. Waipu-Maungaturoto. —The- gorge is again showing signs of wear. The pot holes arc becoming deep and if it is not graded before Christmas travelling will be very uncomfortable. Maungaturoto-Wellsford. — The surface of this section of the road is in very fair order. Wcllsford-Port Alhert-Tahoa. — The surface is somewhat pot-holey and the road is of a winding nature, and, as the Dome is open to traffic in fine weather and will bo metalled by Christmas, there will be no need to use this route unless travelling via the West. Coast.

T a h o a - K auk ajiaka |>a-Helens villc-Auck-land.—The surface in many parts is holey but it makes an alternative route to Auckland for those wishing to go through Hclensville. It is not recommended after continuous rain as the width of the metal is narrow in many parts and extra care is required in cornering or passing ears.

AVcllsford-Dome Valley-Warkworth-Auekland. —The surface provides good travelling and the road is the shortest and best route to Auckland. Members are advised in travelling through the new work iu the Dome Valley to reduce their speed to 25 miles per hour until such times as the surface is permanently fixed. The metalling of the remaining clay portion of the Dome Valley is now practically completed and advice is to hand that the remainder will be covered with metal within the next two days.

Maungatmroto-Ru'awiai-Dargaville. Except for occasional pot holes, this surface provides comfortable travelling conditions.

WhangareiiDargaville.—The surface is in good order, with the exception of pot holes between Maungatapere and Whangarci. As the road is narrow, and loose metal prevails on many sections, motorists should not travel at an excessive speed. Whanga rol-Mangakahia-Ivaikohe: The surface is in very fair order, many of the corners having been cut back. The road stands up very well to traffic, and does not become flooded.

Ngawha-Springs-Kaikohe. —This road ,is a. private, road to the springs, ami is at present closed to the public. Dargaville-Kauri Fores ts-Kaikohc. — The surface of this highway is in very fair order but after any rain the Awakino Volley route from Dargaville is advised as the clay portion beyond Babylon will still cause trouble. The metal road through the Waipona Kauri Forest is in good order, hut the roads loading into the Tronnson Kauri Park are clay and are not advised after any rain. At present those clay roads have Just boon graded and the surface is in good order with the exception of that section near Whatora. Motorists in wot weather who wish to visit the park may leave the road at. Aranga. and drive for a mile and a half to the Aranga. railway station. There they can lease their ears and a short walk will bring thorn to the park. Donnelly’s -Crossing-Waiinatanui-Kai-kohe. —This recently completed’ metal road is in very fair order and most of the rough green metal has been ground down and blinded, there being only a small section of rough metal near AVaimatanui. Workmen are still working on this section and the surface generally provides good travelling, with easy grades. Maungakahia-Two B ridges-Wai matanui.—Although this route is considerably shorter In mileage to the Trounsen Kauri Park it is much longer in travelling time as the surface is not properly formed. Traffic is not advised to use this route. It is much quicker and more forward to go via Dargaville.

Whan ga rci-Kaw a k a w a- 01 1 acawa i. This section is in very fair order, except at. Waiotu and from Tvawakawa to Moerewa, where the surface is exceedingly rough, and a subject of < l omment by all road-users. The road becomes flooded here and all the sand and fine metal has been washed away, leaving verv large stones exposed. Whakapara-Enssell.—This surface is in fair order, but, owing to the narrowness of the road in many parts, motorists are advised to travel slowly. After heavy rain two unbridged streams will hold up traffic. Eussell-Pahia Pontoon. —The construction 'of new ramps are under way and. sli mid not alTr.rd any undue trouble in the shipping arrangements. Pahia-Waimate North. —The surface is rough in parts and after any rain these narts of the road give trouble and hold up the traffic. Ohaeawai-TCaeo-Mangonni-K’aitnia. •Between Ohaeawai and Olcaihan the road is still rough, but work is being carried out, and it is hoped it will be in reasonable order by Christmas. The remaining portion of the road, in most

cases has been reasonably graded and provides fairly comfortable travelling. Owing to the winding nature of the surface between Mangonni and Ivaitnia, motorists are advised to be careful and keep to the correct side of the road. Most motorists prefer to use the new road between Okaihau and Kaeo winch provides an easy grade and* good scenery, including a nice piece of kauri bush. Okaihau-Maiigamnka-Kaltaia. — The graders arc now at work on this part, of the road surface and should provide good travelling within the hext few days.

Mangamuka Bridgc-Kohukohu. —There is a good metal surface on. the road, but requires careful travelling as it is narrow and winding. Kaitaia-Hcrekino-Broadwoodj The surface is in fair order, but after any rain will require chains at the clay portion between Herekino and Broadwood.

Awanui-Kaingaroa-Mangonui. — This surface is very rough and not advised for the average motorist.

Whangarci- Waiotira-Paparoa. This route is at present under construction and only a small portion of clay road now remains to be metalled. This, however, should be completed at the present rate be for (,'hristmas. It will then provide an alternative and shorter central route to Paparoa. Kaitaia-Ninety Mile Beach-Spirits Bay. —Owing to the creek and the soft sand at Ahipara, cars arc advised to go by Waipapakauri the only inconvenience being the lupins which tend

to scratch cars. The engineer, however, has promised to have this attended to at an early date. Motorists using the beach should obtain reliable information before motoring on it as regards state of the tide. The r J e Paki stream leading from the beach to To Paki, at present does not afford trouble, but the road from To Paki to Pandora, is of a. badly formed nature and contains very sleep grades. It is not advised for the average motorist. Accommodation may be obtained from the Tc Paki station.

Inland Road.—The inland road from Te Paki-Ohura to Kaitaia contains many washouts and pot holes and at present does not. provide comfortable travelling. Motorists are advised at this time of the year to be [particularly careful especially in passing vehicles on those portions of the road where the sides are overgrown with long grass, as in many cases the grass obscures large stones and ditches and already several accidents have resulted, owing to motorists passing through the long grass at the roadsides.